K-W Titans 123, London Lightning 97

This isn’t the way the London Lightning’s three-game home stand was supposed to go — and frustrations are starting to show.

The Lightning (4-4) took their worst beating of the year so far Sunday afternoon in a 123-97 loss to the Kitchener-Waterloo Titans (3-3) at Budweiser Gardens — their second home-court humiliation, coming less than 24 hours after falling 111-87 to the Saint John Riptide Saturday night.

Kitchener-Waterloo scored 41 points in the fourth quarter and former Lightning guard Joel Friesen-Latty led the charge with a game-high 31 points.

The Lightning’s early struggles this season have left veteran players baffled.

“I’ve been here a while, but I’ve never felt like this,” forward Maurice Bolden said. “This is different. I don’t know what it is. I can’t pinpoint it. It’s weird. I don’t understand it. I’m trying to do the best I can do, individually, but everything is much more difficult mentally and physically.”

Bolden, who scored 12 points and had 14 rebounds in Sunday’s loss, wouldn’t single out any players, but suggested that changes are in the works.

“Some things must be changed,” he said. “This is the professional level. If you can’t do your job, we have to find somebody who can do that job. I’m sure some changes are going to be made and hopefully we can get it together in the future.”

Veteran power forward Marvin Phillips, who led the Bolts with 23 points, agrees some profound changes are needed, especially when it comes to effort and energy.

“I think we are struggling in those departments,” he said. “In this case, we do have a little bit of time to get it together. There’s a lot of time before the playoffs come.”

Phillips added that lapses in concentration and focus are also killing the Lightning early on this season.

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Titans 123, Lightning 97

London Lightning player Marvell Waithe hangs his head as the end of the game nears at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ont. on Sunday December 9, 2018. The Kitchener-Waterloo Titans defeated the home team 123-97. Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press/Postmedia Network

Despondent London Lightning players (L to R Marvell Waithe, Jaylen Babb-Harrison, Kevin Ware and Xavier Moon) sit on the bench near the end of the game agains the Kitchener-Waterloo Titans at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ont. on Sunday December 9, 2018. The Titans won the game 123-97. Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press/Postmedia Network

Garrett Williamson of the London Lightning is unimpressed as Kitchener-Waterloo Titans players Derek Hall (left) and Ed Horton celebrate from the bench after taking a 10 point lead in the fourth quarter at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ont. on Sunday December 9, 2018. The visitors won the game 123-97.Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press/Postmedia Network

Greg Morrow of the Kitchener-Waterloo Titans dunks above AJ Gaines of the London Lightning at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ont. on Sunday December 9, 2018. Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press/Postmedia Network

London Lightning player Mo Bolden lays up a two points while being covered by the Justin Strings of the Kitchener-Waterloo Titans at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ont. on Sunday December 9, 2018. Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press/Postmedia Network

London Lightning player AJ Gaines lays up a two points while being covered by the Joel Friesen of the Kitchener-Waterloo Titans at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ont. on Sunday December 9, 2018. Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press/Postmedia Network

Marvin Phillips of the London Lightning defends against Tramar Sutherland of the Kitchener-Waterloo Titans at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ont. on Sunday December 9, 2018. Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press/Postmedia Network

London Lightning player Mo Bolden swats the ball away from Nigel Tyghter of the Kitchener-Waterloo Titans at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ont. on Sunday December 9, 2018. Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press/Postmedia Network

London Lightning player Mo Bolden takes a shot during the team's game against the Kitchener-Waterloo Titans at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ont. on Sunday December 9, 2018. Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press/Postmedia Network

London Lightning player Xavier Moon gets a taste of Derek Hall's elbow during their NBL basketball game at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ont. on Sunday December 9, 2018. Hall's Kitchener-Waterloo Titans defeated the home team 123-97. Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press/Postmedia Network

“That’s been our thing in almost every game we’ve played,” he said. “It’s really a matter of us playing four strong quarters — just try to play a complete game. . . . We need to get back at practice and work harder.”

Although Bolden is not entirely sure what the Lightning are missing, he said positive energy, greater team cohesion and proper game preparation are possible remedies.

“Personally, I don’t feel like that togetherness is there,” he said. “In order for us to win, we’ve got to want to play for each other. We gotta want to win. We gotta want to defend. Teams are going to come after us and players that used to play here are going to want to perform well against us.

“Today was a prime example of what can happen when we don’t prepare properly, be together, have good energy and good spirits.”

The Bolts just managed to edge the Windsor Express (1-6) 99-98 in the opening game of their three games at home.

They have a few days off before they travel to face the Sudbury Five (5-2) Saturday night at 7 p.m. and who is on the bus for that trip north could be telling.

“Management is going to do some things for sure,” Bolden said. “We are going to have to see who is still with us and who is not. It’s basketball and I suggest everyone keep their heads up and just try to be a better man the next day.”

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